NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Robert V. LaPenta ’67, ’00H recently made the largest gift in Iona College history, $15 million, to support the redesign and expansion of Iona’s School of Business. Plans are under way to triple the current space for students and faculty, and create a world-class learning environment for innovative and ethical business leaders.
Now, LaPenta is challenging other alumni to join him in supporting this endeavor. In addition to his historic lead gift, he is pledging an additional $2.5 million to match gifts for this project from members of Iona’s classes of 1975 to 1995.
In announcing the “LaPenta Means Business” Challenge, LaPenta stated, “I’d like to invite Iona alumni to invest in the business school’s new home, and join me in supporting Iona’s mission to create graduates who are innovative, ethical, creative problem solvers.”
For every dollar that alumni from these classes commit to the business school expansion through the Iona Forever campaign, the “LaPenta Means Business” Challenge will match those funds, on a one-to-one basis, thus doubling the impact of each donor’s gift. For example a $10,000 gift becomes a $20,000 gift with the LaPenta match.
“The ‘LaPenta Means Business’ Challenge will accelerate funding for a new Iona School of Business facility that matches the caliber of our curriculum and the potential of our students,” said Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D., Iona College President. “I am incredibly grateful to Bob LaPenta for his leadership, and I urge our alumni to join him in making this project a reality.”
To join the Challenge and for more information, please contact Iona Forever Director Pam Bottge at (914) 633-2413 FREE or pbottge@iona.edu.
